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job interview, job search and resume advice from HR professionals www.hrinmotion.com

The Job Search Guide

Job Interview, Job Search, Resume Writing

By: www.hrinmotion.com
http://www.hrinmotion.com/http://www.hrinmotion.com/

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Hrinmotion.com - job search advice from HR professionals 1

Table of Contents

Introduction ................................................................................................................................... 2

Tips for Planning Your Job Search Effectively .......................................................................... 3

What Are Your Job Skills .......................................................................................................... 4

Wr iti ng Th e Co ve r Le tt er and Re su me .............................................................................. 5 Resumes ................................................................................................................................... 5

The Resume Format: ...................................................................................................... 6

Sample Resume 1: Graduate Student .................................................................................. 7

Sample Resume 2: Management .......................................................................................... 9

List Of Action Words For Resumes ......................................................................................... 11

Tips and Tricks For Effective Resumes .................................................................................. 12

The Cover Letter ......................................................................................................................... 13

Format ..................................................................................................................................... 14

Sample Cover Letter ........................................................................................................... 15

Tips and Tricks For Effective Cover Letters ............................................................................ 16

The Job Search ........................................................................................................................... 17

The Job Interview ........................................................................................................................ 18

Before the interview ................................................................................................................ 18

The Interview Questions ......................................................................................................... 19

Open Questions: ................................................................................................................. 19

Closed Questions: ............................................................................................................... 19

Leading Questions .............................................................................................................. 19

Hypothetical/Situational Questions ..................................................................................... 20

Behavioral Questions .......................................................................................................... 20

Interview Tips and Tricks ........................................................................................................ 21

Common Interview Question (General) ................................................................................... 22

Preparing Questions For The Interviewers ............................................................................. 24

The Interview Fol low-up ...................................................................................................... 24

Sample #1: Thank you Letter .............................................................................................. 25

Sample #2: Thank You Letter ............................................................................................. 26 The Follow-up Phone Call ....................................................................................................... 27

Job Search Checkl ist ............................................................................................................ 27

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Further to the above, chances are that you will have to interview more thanonce for a job. Surveys on the hiring practices show that the majority ofemployers interview candidates multiple t imes before making a job offer. Froman HR perspective, I can validate that this is true in the field. The cost of a badhire and turnover is making employers more dil igent in their hiring.

Job Search Mindset

Looking for a job is a full-t ime effort . I t takes gett ing yourself organized,spending a lot of t ime and energy, keeping a posit ive outlook, and makingdecisions. Especially for immigrants and students or job seekers with new tothe workforce .

Finding the right job takes planning and preparation. Whether you are a first-t ime job seeker, already employed, or re-entering the job ma rket , there arebasic steps you can take to prepare for a successful job search.

This package will introduce you to valuable information that will help you onyour way to successfully preparing and finding that r ight job.

Planning Your Time

Now is always the best t ime to look for a j ob. You have all the knowled ge, skil lsand abili t ies as the next person, so start now before someone else gets your

job . Youve already made a good start by attending this workshop, so lets putthose skil ls to use.

Finding work can be a full time job, this means :

Sett ing your own responsibi l i t ies to help you f ind that job youve alwayswanted, no ones going to give you anything i f you dont take the t ime tomarket yourself

Waking up ear ly at a set t ime to s tar t lo oking for work. Looking for wo rk canbe a ful l t ime job on i ts own Using al l your search methods for a job, a l l day. 40 hours a week Being your own boss to make s ure you carry out job search me thods and be

prepared once youve been cal led upon

Tips for Planning Your Job Search Effectively

Make a To Do List in order to ou t l ineyour dai ly/weekly job search methods

Always be prepared. Have a fewresumes with you al l the t ime, whoknows when a hot job wi l l ava i lab le

Try and begin your job search ear ly.This gives employers a good impressionand gives you t ime to send ou t moreapplicat ions / resumes

Follow-up with job leads r ight away.Dont wai t to fol low up the next day

Keep a l is t of a l l the companies you havecontacted, including: Company Name

Network yourself . Let family andfr iends know you are act ively lookingfor a job. Fol low-up with new leads
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Company Address Contact person (e-mail address) Phone/Fax number

immediately

You may want to cal l employers to f indout who or where to apply (e .g. HumanResources Department)

Use al l information sources: Job ads,post ing, recrui t ing/placementcompanies , as means for looking forwork

When applying to companies , t ry anddel iver to as many places in the same

area as possible

Apply on-l ine through fax modems ore-mail ing your resume to selected

companies

What Are Your Job Skills

If you think you dont have job skil ls , think again! Job skil ls are job-huntingtools that you develop that give employers an idea of who you are yourexperience, your education, your accomplishments, your skil l sets - and whatyou have the potential to become.

If you dont know how to determine your job skil ls , creating a personalbackground and experience l ist may help you.

Tips for Creating a Personal Background and Experience List

Interests and Hobbies: (Knowledge, ski l ls and abi l i t ies)

*A good idea to include hobbies relevant to the job

List a l l hobbies , including sports or c lubs youmay be involved or associated with.

List a l l things that interest you

List i tems you are good at or have spe cialski l ls for

Write down al l knowledge, ski l ls and abi l i t iesrequired to do al l your hobbies and interests .Rea l ly be spec i f ic

Educat ion: List the schools you at tended, dates , majorstudies or specif ic detai ls of course completed

List a l l addi t ional vocat ional or on-the-jobtraining

List a l l degrees, diplomas, cer t i f icates , awardsand honors

Work History: List a l l jobs, including ful l - t ime, par t- t ime,volunteer and self-employment

Write down al l job dut ies while in these job s .

What part icular ski l ls were required to do your job

References : List a l l supervisors , managers or instructorsyou may have worked for or with. Make su rethe l is t is current .
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Writing the Cover Letter and Resume

The Resume

You begin a relationship with an employer the moment you apply for the job

The above is a quote from a senior HR leader that highlights the importance ofyour resume as a first step in cult ivating a relationship with an employer. I t

reminds us that an employer starts forming an impression of who you are wellbefore they ever meet you.

For example, an employer will form an impression of your abil i ty tocommunicate based on your resume and cover letter. Writing style cancommunicate aspects of your personality style such as assertiveness,confidence, etc. Spelling and grammatical errors in a resume or cover lettersuggests a lack of attention to detail . Believe i t or not, everyday I st i l l seeresumes with spell ing and grammatical mistakes.

Resumes

Now that youve created a Personal Background and Experience List , letscreate the resume . The purpose of a resume is to g et you in the door for aninterview. Employers decide whom to interview based on the resumes theyreceive for each job. The better your resume is, the more l ikely i t is that you'l lget an interview.

The resume is a personal information sheet . I t should contain details of yourexperience, skil ls , knowledge and education; as well as give the employerinformation to contact you. Your goal is to convince the employer that you havewhat i t takes to be successful for the vacant posit ion, so show off but makesure you dont l ie or misrepresent .

What are the advantages of a resume ?

With a resume anyone in any job can be viewed more favorably thansomeone without . A well-wri t ten resume shows a candidates organizat ionand preparat ion ski l ls .

The resume shows the employer your interests in the company and theknowledge, ski l ls , experience you are offer ing.

Gives potent ial employers a more detai l about your personal backgroundrather then just providing an appl icat ion form.

A resume helps keep t rack of current and previous information in detai l andis easy to refer to during an interview.
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The Resume Format:

1. Personal Information:

Contact Name (First , last name) Address, Postal Code Contact Telephone Numbers (home/cell) E-mail

2 . Job Objectives (optional):

State your objective at the beginning of the resume to ensure that youwill be considered for the correct posit ion. The objective does not have tobe included on the resume if the resume is being submitted with a coversheet.

3. Experience/Skills Summary:

This is not a requirement; however, this brief summary can be abeneficial tool in seeking a new job. Adding an experience/skil ls summary

will give the reader an immediate and brief insight into you experienceand skil ls before going through the entire resume .

4. Education:

Details of your post-secondary education (e.g. college, university, tradeschool) are necessary including the degree, diploma, or certif icateachieved. The education details should be l isted from most recent toleast .

5. Work Experience:

There is no l imit on the amount of work experience to include in aresume; however you do not want to go back too far. If your experience is10 to 15 years in length but not relevant for the job being applied for , i t isnot necessary to add i t into your resume. The work experience should belisted from most recent to least .

6 . Volunteer Work :

List all contributions you have made on a volunteer basis (e.g. non-profitorganization), Similar to the work experience section, the company, dateand experience details are required.

7 . Hobbies/Interests :

This section is optional. Some employers look for candidates who arewell rounded and show interests and hobbies outside of the workplace.While other recruiters dont require this section . The key is to be briefhere and where possible l ist a few personal hobbies and interests thatrelate to the job.
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Sample Resume 1: Graduate Student

Jane Jackson,

117 River St, Williams Lake, M6G 2K9 Phone (762) 222- 5678 Cell (604) 345-8976

E-Mail: [email protected]

OBJECTIVE: Seeking an entry-level position within the Engineering Department of a manufacturing facility.

EXPERIENCE & SKILLS SUMMARY:

Engineering experience gained through placement studies.

Experience with Auto-cad drawings.

Proficient with Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, Auto-CAD and Java.

BS in Computer Science and Mechanical Engineering.

EDUCATION:

University of Victoria, Victoria, BC2000 Present

Obtained a BS in Mechanical Engineering, Graduated with Honors.

ABC College, Victoria, BC1999 2001

Obtained a BS in Computer Science

EXPERIENCE:

Chris & Sons Engineering Works, Victoria, BC May 2001 Sept 2001

Placement Student

Summer Placement

Performed time studies on each process in a large manufacturing area.

Planned the floor layout for a new automated production line.

Completed Auto-CAD drawings for the Senior Engineer on line layout and ergonomic space-saving

concepts.

Identified potential bottlenecks to production, and developed methods to reduce and prevent these

impediments to efficiency. Completed change requests on production procedures and drawings.
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Timetrax Engineering Co. Ltd., Nanaimo, BC June 2000 Sept 2000Placement Student

Summer Placement

Completed Auto-CAD drawings of proposed layouts for a large production facility in Nanaimo.

Reviewed production procedures and engineering specs including machine drawings prior to submittal forreview in the change process.

Developed and maintained a database for tracking tech files, equipment specs, equipment installation

checklists etc.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, Auto-CAD and Java.

Participated in a two-week course in Machine Design, Christmas 2000.

HOBBIES & INTERESTS:

Football, Hockey, Swimming, Carpentry, Metalwork

References Available Upon Request

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Sample Resume 2: Management

Markus Mathews117 Ocean Drive, Vancouver, V5F 4H5

Phone 604- 277-7711 Cell phone 604-716-4444 [email protected]

OBJECTIVE: Seeking a position as an Office Manager within a dynamic company.

EXPERIENCE & SKILLS SUMMARY:

Organized individual with exceptional follow-through abilities and a comprehensive knowledge of business management.

Strong interpersonal skills; proven ability to work well with individuals at all levels.

Possess strong problem resolution skills.

Proven ability to gather, collate and use data effectively.

Computer literate; proficient in current business software, spreadsheets etc.

Dedicated individual; reputation for going beyond expectations.

EDUCATION:

West Coast College, Prince George BC1994 1997

BS in Business Studies, Graduated with Honors

EXPERIENCE:

March 1999 March 2002: ABC Communications, Vancouver, BC

Office Manager Managed a staff of twenty employees within the purchasing and planning group.

Responsible for the training and development of employees.

Produced comprehensive analysis of training opportunities and skills gaps.

Scheduled employee holidays, benchmarked employee salary increases against current standards,performed employee performance evaluations and managed travel and expenses for the divisionsemployees.

Managed the divisions monthly $200,000 budget.

Researched opportunities for improved services to clients.

Liaised with internal and external departments and contractors to ensure delivery of components. Produced reports and analysis including data research and the compilation of statistics.

Responsible for dealing with Human Resource issues and employee problem resolutions.
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April 1997 February 1999: True Industries, Burnaby, BC

Administrative Assistant

Coordinated weekly work schedule for the development division including the monitoring of holidays andsick days.

Developed an effective filing system to track the status of work orders.

Collated weekly sales targets data and prepared the weekly sales presentations based on the results.

Responsible for general office duties such as scheduling meetings, maintenance of the internal and externalmail systems, filing, faxing and answering the telephone.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Fluent in several languages including French, Spanish, German and Italian.

Excellent Computer skills including Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Access.

In my free time I enjoy traveling, reading and going to the movies.

References Available Upon Requests

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List of Action Words for Resumes

achieved acquired adapted addressed administered analyzed anticipated assembled assisted audi ted budgeted calculated centralized changed collaborated composed condensed conducted constructed contracted converted coordinated created cultivated demonstrated designed developed devised discovered doubled

drafted edited eliminated enforced established evaluated expanded explained forecasted formed founded generated guided hired implemented improved informed insured interpreted interviewed launched maintained managed marketed minimized motivated negotiated obtained operated organized

originated oversaw performed planned prevented produced programmed promoted provided publicized published recruited reorganized reported researched resolved reviewed selected separated set up simplified solved surveyed staffed supervise taught tested trained used
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Tips and Tricks for Effective Resumes

Use a computer to help you prepare your resume. There are many easy-to-use computer programs as well as Human Resources services you canuse to help you build a professional resume.

When writing a resume the following information should be omitted fromthe resume:

Date of Birth/Age. Marital Status. Sexuality. Religion. Polit ical beliefs.

Do not include salary or wages.

Be sure all dates included in the resume are accurate. If unsure, do notadd them in.

Centre and justify all headings and write out all words (no abbreviations).

Show off-identify all accomplishments . This will sell you to a pote ntialemployer. Dont sell yourself short .

Use action verbs (see l ist included). These words capture the reader sattention.

Be specific short and clear. Use concise sentences.

Make sure resume is clear and easy to read with lots of white space.

Make sure resume has been proofread carefully by someone other thenyourself prior to sending them out to companies.

Inspect all photocopies for clari ty and any mistakes by the printer(smudges/marks). Don't fold a laser-printed resume right along a l ine oftext.

Be consistent with font sizes, font style, margins, bullets & bolding.

Quantify your experience wherever possible. Cite numerical f igures, suchas monetary budgets/funds saved, t ime periods/efficiency improved, l inesof code writ ten/debugged.
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The Cover Letter

Unlike the resume , which can be a more generic and general document, thecover letter is tailored to each specific job. The cover letter is the init ial let terthat a reader will see, before the resume, so i t has to be specific, clear andshow intent.

Effective cover letters are constructed withclose attention to:

Purpose Audience Conten t Format

Purpose:

The cover letter and resume usually provide all the information which aprospective employer will use to decide whether or not you will reach the nextphase in the application process: the interview.

While your goal is an interview and, ult imately, a job offer, the purpose of yourcover letter is to simply gain an attentive audience for your resume.

Audience:

A cover letter lets the prospective employer hear the applicants voice. I treflects the applicants personality, attention to detail , communication skil ls ,enthusiasm, intellect , and specific interest in the company.

A cover letters should be tailored to each specific company and each specific job . I t is important to conduct research to know the interests, needs, values,and goals of each company.

Content:

A cover letter should be addressed to the specific company and the specificindividual or department responsible in the decision making process. This canusually be acquired through research or by call ing the company to find outwhom you should address your letter to.

The letter should name the posit ion, which is being applied to, and also makespecific references to the company. Indicate the your knowledge of and interestin the work the company does, and an your qualification for the posit ion. Whatdo you want the reader to know?

Why you want to work at that specific comp any. Why you fi t with that company. How you qualify for the posit ion to which you applying.
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The cover letter should also:

Highlight the most important and relevant accomplishments, skil ls , andexperience l isted in your resume.

Point to the resume in some way (as detailed in the enclosed resume"). Request specific follow up, such as an interview. Address employment gaps

Format

A cover letter should be in paragraph form with a formal tone.

The first paragraph should be brief, approximately two or three sentences,stating:

What job you are applying for and how you learned about i t Any personal contacts you have in or with the company Your general qualifications for the job.

The body of your letter should consist of approximately one to three paragraphsin which you expand upon your qualifications for the posit ion: Most relevantqualifications, demonstrating how your background and experience qualify you.

The concluding paragraph should request an interview. Inform where and whenyou can be reached, and express will ingness to come to an interview or supplyfurther information. Close by thanking the reader for his or her t ime andconsideration.
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Sample Cover Letter

Jane Doe1234 Creek Side Drive,Vancouver, BCV75 3F5(604) 234-5786 (hm)(604) 715-3456 (cell)

DateMr. Billy Bob,Human Resources Manager,ACE Tire Company,Bridge Road,Richmond, BC .

Dear Mr. Bob,

I was put in contact with you through Tom Timmons at Acme Recruitment Specialists. I was made awareof your requirements to hire an Facilities Manager and I enclose my resume in application for this role.

My experience as an Facilities Manager has included a three year position as Facilities Manager at BurntsPlastics where I had direct responsibility for four manufacturing lines over two shifts, a total of 143employees and an aggressive manufacturing schedule and build plan. Prior to that I was a FacilitiesSupervisor for four years with Yates Steels Inc where I supervised forty employees and managed allaspects of production planning.

With my successful management experience and proven track record in manufacturing, I feel that I wouldbe a valuable addition to your company. I enclose my resume for your attention and hope that if you haveany questions that require clarification you will not hesitate to contact me at the above telephonenumbers.

I would personally like to discuss this further and will contact you within the next week to arrange ameeting at your convenience.

Yours sincerely,

Jane Doe

Jane Doe

Enclosure: Resume

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Tips and Tricks for Effective Cover Letters

Always send resume with a cover letter.

Always address the cover letter to a named individual or specificdepartment (e.g. Human Resources Department ) .

The first paragraph must grab a reader s attention.

Don't depend on the employer to take action. Request action. Request aninterview, and tell the employer when you will follow up to arrange i t .Then, Do So. This will increase your chances of gett ing interviews if youcall the employer.

Make sure there are no typos, misspell ings, incorrect grammar orpunctuation.

Use simple language and uncomplicated sentence structure.

Make sure you tell the reader how you found out about the vacancy.

Keep the cover letter brief. Never more than one page. Each paragraphshould have no more than one to three sentences.

Tell the employer how you can meet his or her needs and contribute tothe company.

Do try to answer the question that the employer will be asking whilereading your letter: "Why should I interview this person?"

Use your cover letter to highlight the aspects of your resume that arerelevant to the posit ion. Do not simply repeat your resume.

Avoid negativity.

Make sure all personal contact information is correct so the potentialemployer can reach you.

Use action verbs.

Make sure you personally sign the letter.

Uses e-mailed cover letters, but keep them shorter and more concise.
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The Job Search

Now that the cover letter and resume are prepared i ts t ime to start looking for job opportunities that f i t your skil ls and goals. The j ob search takes t ime, sothe more effort you put into seeking work , the greater the chance you'l lexperience early success.

Be organized by sett ing targets and recording your activit ies daily. Strategiesmay have to be reviewed or altered if there are too many rejections.

When searching for a job, there are a number of options, including:

Paper based Publications

Major daily newspapers. Local papers. National newspapers. Trade and industry journals. Employment books at local l ibrary or bookstore.

Internet sites

www.bctechnology.com www.workopolis.com www.monster.ca www.careerclick.com www.canjobs.com www.canadajobs.com www.actiojobs.com www.careerowl.com www.jobshark.com www.bcjobs.ca www.allstarjobs.ca www.hotjobs.ca www.indeed.com www.simplyhired.ca

Networking through friends, contacts, and local community . Let peopleknow you are seeking work and the area(s) you are targeting.

Unsolicited applications cover letter and resume sent to targetedemployers to express interest in working for them. Use resources such as:

Cold call ing . Yellow Pages. Professional / trade directories. Company information.

Notice boards at public notice boards, community centres.

Recruitment/Employment Agencies look for suitable candidates on behalf ofyou and store your personal resumes/details on fi le for future opportunities.
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The Job Interview

Your resume has been chosen and now you are one step closer to landing thatposit ion. I t 's your chance to show the employer that you h ave what i t takes forthe job and able to communicate effectively.

Before the interview

1. Gather as much information on the company as you can

Look at the companies website : This will give you a goo d overview of thecompany's philosophy, culture and business concepts and fiscal reports.

Be Careful- make sure you have the right information.2. Learn about the person interviewing you

Know the names and job t i t les of the people you will be speaking to. How to spell and pronounce the interviewers ' names. Ask the person who set-up the interview or look at the company website.

3. Gather Your Information Take all gathered information and write them neatly on a piece of paper,

this will prepare you for the interview. The information will give youconfidence going into the interview.

4. Practice Potential Interview Question

Anticipate the questions that might be asked by the interviewer based onyour personal experiences and work history.

Use the questions provided in this package, look into the many career-oriented books and interview preparation websites.

5. Dress To Impress

Dress and groom for the interview as you would for the job. Look neatand c lean.

Conservative colours such as blue, black, grey portrays a professionalimage.

Well pressed shirt , pants, t ies and tradit ional skirts (not too short) shouldbe worn.

6. Pack your case / portfolio

Extra copies of your resume (printed on resume paper). Copies of your letters of reference. Sample of work that may have been done in a previous posit ion and is

beneficial for the posit ion. A pad of paper and two pens to take notes.
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The Interview Questions

While we have created a growing library of interview questions , there is nosingle method to predict every question the interviewer(s) are going to ask youin an interview, so the best method of preparation is knowing the types ofinterview questions that exist and practice . Acknowledging the differentquestion types will prepare you for the unpredictable and ready you ahead ofthe game.

Here are the different types of interview questions that may be asked in aninterview:

Open Questions:

These questions encourage the flow of information. Questions usually beginwith words l ike, What, Why, When, Where, Tell me about or how and encouragea broad response. These questions most often are asked, while going over yourresume, so make sure the resume is accurate and correct. Interviewees willusually respond well to an open question .

Example:

Tell me about yourself?

Why do you want to leave your current job ? (Why did you leave yourlast job?

Why do you want to work for us?

How do you handle pressure and s tress?

What qual i f ies you for this job?

Closed Questions:

These questions are direct and focused. This type of question is not used veryoften since i t only lead to 'yes ' or 'no' answers, however these questions areuseful for concluding and summarizing. Effectively used in confirminginformation

Example:

Are you avai lable to work in Canada?

Have you at tended any workshops this year?

Can you s tar t next Monday?

Leading Questions

Leading questions are directive and always indicate the preferred answer ortelegraph the interviewer 's opinion. These are not productive in obtaining depthor qualify of information
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Example:

I expect you prefer to work in a team?

You are wil l ing to work every odd weekend aren ' t you?

Hypothetical/Situational Questions

These questions require you to imagine yourself in a si tuation and what stepsyou would take to solve the problem presented. These questions are open instyle and pose a 'What if . . . ' scenario. They can be useful in analyzingknowledge, att i tudes, reactions, creativity and speculative thinking.

Example:

What could you see as the major object ives of this job? If you werehired by our organizat ion, how would you ident i ty the major roles andresponsibi l i t ies of your new posi t ion?

In your opinion, what does i t take to be effect ive in sales or market ing?What are your personal motivat ional techniques? How would youresolve confl ic t in a group s i tuat ion? If you were given this assignment ,how would you proceed?

I f you were hired by our organizat ion, how would you ident i ty the majorroles and responsibi l i t ies of your new posi t ion?

Behavioral Questions

Behavioral interviews are very probing in nature and are based on the conceptof predictable future behavior. In other words, what you have done in the paststrongly suggests what you will do in the future. They are similar in nature tohypothetical questions in that they can measure knowledge, att i tudes,reactions, creativity and thinking.

Example:

Give me a specif ic example of a t ime when you used good judgment andlogic in solving a problem?

Give me a specif ic exa mple of a t ime when you had to con form to a pol icywith which you did not agree?

Tell me about a t ime whe n you had too many things to do and you wererequired to pr ior i t ize your tasks?

Tell me about a t ime you were able to successful ly deal with another

person even when that individual may not have personal ly l iked you (orvice versa)?

Describe a t ime when you ant icipated potent ial problems and developedprevent ive measures?
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Interview Tips and Tricks

Offer firmest handshake . A firm handshake shows confidence and graceunder pressure.

Eye contact . Look the interviewer straight in the eye shows confidenceand honesty. This will impress them and make you appear capable.Continue making eye contact throughout the entire interview. Do not letyour eyes wander . Wandering eyes indicate lack of interest , nosiness, orthat there may be boredom by the interviewer.

Keep Smile. Keeps the candidate relaxed and calm. Take The Drink. If offered coffee, juice or water. Go ahead and take i t .

You can take sips while you think about your answers it will buy youtime.

Sit up straight . Slouching shows lack of interest . Speak Clear - but never interrupt . The key is to be clear and to the

point without being too chatty. Interrupting the interviewer in mid-sentence, may throw of the interviewer and you may miss the question alltogether. Keep it short and to the point when answering questions.

Nod. A nod demonstrates interest in what the interviewers are asking,and shows you are paying attention.

Offer Compliments . This shows off your interpersonal skil ls as well asyour comfort level in the environment in the environment.

Laugh. This shows the interviewers your easygoing personality. Take a Deep Breathe . Deep breathing will help keep calm. Be Prepared. Make sure you are ready for all types of questions that may

be asked and know your resume well . Take Notes . Taking notes shows you are well prepared. You may also

ask the interviewers if you may take notes or right down answers as thequestions are being asked.

Dont Rush. Take your t ime. Think of all questions thoroughly beforeanswering.

Show Your Interest. Always end the interview with, "I am very interestedin the posit ion.

Review your resume . Dont get caught off guard when the interviewerasks you about your resume.
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What Not To Do Speculate on future industry trends without being properly educated. Lie about education or previous responsibil i t ies . Arrive late with what seems like a good excuse. Negotiate salary shortly after the interview begins. Talk (babble) long after the interviewer 's question has been answered Speak badly about previous employers or colleagues. Interrupt (sl ightly or continuously, depending on the patience of the

interviewer) the interviewer while he or she is speaking. Arrive unprepared. Utilize negative statements , such as "I could have finished the project,

but. . ." or "I found it difficult to. . . negativity can weigh heavy on aninterview.

Common Interview Question (General)

What are the responsibil i t ies of your current or previous posit ion?

What do you know about this industry?

What do you know about our company?

How long will i t take for you to make a significant contribution?

What is your most significant accomplishment?

Why did you leave your last job?

Why do you think you would l ike to work for our company?

If i t were your first day, what would you say to the associates you will beworking with?

What have you done to overcome major obstacles in your l ife?

Are you will ing to relocate?

How would you describe your work style?

Tell me about yourself?

Why do you think we should hire you for this job?

How do you define success?

What was the last book you read?
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What area of this job would you find most difficult?

What leadership/supervisory roles have your held?

What is your weakness ?

What is your strength ?

What accomplishments are you most proud of?

What has been your greatest crisis, how did you solve i t?

What person has had the greatest influence on you, why?

What do you like best about your job/school? What do you like least?

How has college prepared you for this career?

Describe your ideal job.

Why did you choose this particular field of work?

What have you done that shows init iative?

In what areas of the job wou ld you expect to be most successful. . . . least?

What do you see yourself doing in 5 or 10 years?

What are your salary requirements?

What frustrates you?

Describe a si tuation with an irate customer and how you handled i t?

What aspect of this job do you consider most crucial?

What are your long-range career objectives and how do you plan toachieve them?

How do think a friend would describe you?

What motivates you?

How many hours a week do you need to work to get the job done?

How do you work under pressure ?

What two or three things are most important to you in your job?
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Tell me about other jobs you've had. In hindsight, how could you haveimproved your performance?

What skil ls do you want to improve?

Preparing Questions For The Interviewers

At the end of the interview you ma y be asked if you have question s. Never endwithout a question, show your interest , have some questions ready. Look as ifyou are thinking about whether you have any questions and then ask anappropriate one from a l ist you have beforehand. Here are some potentialquestions that may be asked:

Example:

How would you describe a typical workday?

What is the best par t of working at this co mpany for you?

Are there s ignif icant opportuni t ies to take seminars , c lasses ,

etc . to lea rn more about the different facets of the compan y? Why did you join the company?

The Interview Follow-up

The Thank-you letter

The thank-you letter must be sent r ight after you've been on a job interview. Atthe very latest , send thank-you or follow-up letters by mail within 24 hours of aninterview. You may even want to ensure that the interviewer has your thank-youletter in hand no later than end of the next day. The letter shows your interestin the posit ion and serves as a constant reminder to the interviewers who youare .

The letter should be a simple note thanking that person for taking the t ime tomeet you, saying how much you enjoyed your discussion, and how much you'dlike to join the team.

A tangible letter will appear more personal rather then sending a e-mail . With aemail , the probabili ty is high that i t will be glanced at and forgotten.
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Sample #1: Thank you Letter

Ms. Jane Doe, Director of Human ResourcesABC Company1234 Ocean Lane, Suite 500Burnaby, BC, V7R 4R5

January 1 st, 2004

Dear Ms. Doe,

Thank you for meeting with me today. I enjoyed learning more about ABC Company and hearing aboutyour plans for market expansion.

In my current position I manage over 100 receivable accounts. Through an incentive program, I decreasedturnaround time for incoming payments from 60 days to an overall average of 45 days.As ABC Company expands its market, tracking and improving receivables will be important. With myexperience, we can accomplish these goals, save money, and maintain good client relations at the sametime.

I look forward to our next discussion and the chance to meet with your CFO, Ms. Daniels. In themeantime, please let me know if you'd like additional information.

Sincerely,

Jack Jackson

Jack Jackson
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Sample #2: Thank You Letter

September 20, 2004

Mr. Joe SmithHuman Resource ManagerABC Company111 Employment WayRichmond, BC V6T 5R5

To Mr. Joe Smith:

Thank you for the opportunity to discuss the secretarial position this morning. Our conversation gave mea better understanding of ABC Company and the requirements of the job. The additional informationfrom Max and Kathryn was helpful in gaining a better perspective of the position.

My strong office and interpersonal skills will definitely make a contribution to your company. I amproficient in all of the computer software packages that you use and possess the customer serviceexperience that you want.

I enjoyed meeting the office staff and touring the facility. This is clearly a quality organization with anemphasis on efficiency and a dedication to teamwork. I would consider it a privilege to join your teamand look forward to hearing from you.Again, thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

Jack Jackson

Jack Jackson

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The Follow-up Phone Call

If you haven't heard anything after a week CALL THEM. A friendly phone callafter a week tells the employer that you are truly interested. The call will serveto remind the company abo ut you they may not want to let go.

You can also ask (in a polite fashion) in about how long they'l l be making theirdecision. If that date passes and you sti l l haven't heard anything call again. I t 'snot being pushy it 's being persistent.

Job Search Checklist

CLARIFY YOUR JOB TARGET Decide what type(s) of posit ion(s) you want.

Make a To Do List in order to outline your job search methods.

Keep a l ist of all the companies you have contacted or plan on contacting(get contact information) Do some company research prior to applying (e.g. location, market,service, company culture etc.) .Use the internet as a tool to checkcompany websites. Select your preferred geographic location and start ing salary.

WRITE YOUR RESUM AND COVER LETTER Attend a workshop, use book and/or internet searches to help withresumes and cover letter writ ing Use the handouts on writ ing resume and cover letters to assist you (foundin this workshop package) Have a friend, family member or other professional(s) look over andcrit ique your resume and cover letter before sending i t out Make sure the information on the resume and cover letter is correctand accurate and current

PREPARE FOR YOUR JOB SEARCH Networking is very important . Let people know that you are lookingfor a job, especially if you know someone that works in the field inwhich you are interested Join a professional association related to your field of interest . Thisis a good way to network.Use different methods of looking for the right job (e.g. Newspapers,internet job sites, notice boards and recruitment agencies) Send Unsolicited cover letter and resumes to targeted employers ofinterest . Use different methods of sending your resume and cover letter tocompanies of interest (e.g. In-person, fax, mail or e-mail) Keep extra copies (hard copies) of your resume at all t ime

Purchase professional business att ire for your interview.

Make sure all your references are in current and aware
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H i ti j b h d i f HR f i l

CONTACT POTENTIAL EMPLOYERS Begin contacting potential employers with phone calls, visi ts ,letters, and e-mail Start keeping records on employer contacts.

PREPARE FOR THE INTERVIEW Attend a workshop, read a book and/or use internet si tes to help you

prepare for an interview Gather as much information on the company as you can Set up a mock interview with friends, family members or otherprofessionals. This is a helpful way to improve your interviewingskills Dress To Impress Pack case/portfolio for interview (extra resumes, references, work sample, pad/paper and questions for the interviewee(s))

FOLLOW UPSend thank you letters to organizations that interviewed you.

Contact organizations again that interviewed you, if you have notheard from them within 5-10 business days since interview
http://blog.hrinmotion.com/2008/04/08/weekly-employment-funny-job-interview-cartoon/http://blog.hrinmotion.com/2008/04/08/weekly-employment-funny-job-interview-cartoon/http://www.hrinmotion.com/product.php?product_id=12&type=1http://www.hrinmotion.com/product.php?product_id=12&type=1http://www.hrinmotion.com/product.php?product_id=12&type=1http://blog.hrinmotion.com/2008/02/22/how-casual-is-business-casual/http://blog.hrinmotion.com/2008/02/22/how-casual-is-business-casual/http://blog.hrinmotion.com/2008/02/22/how-casual-is-business-casual/http://www.hrinmotion.com/product.php?product_id=12&type=1http://www.hrinmotion.com/product.php?product_id=12&type=1http://blog.hrinmotion.com/2008/04/08/weekly-employment-funny-job-interview-cartoon/

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